Bryan, who was seeking the democratic nomination, was. Excerpts from the text of william jennings bryans cross of gold speech given at the 1896 democratic convention. You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard. Information and translations of cross of gold speech in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Affluent citizens supported securing 7 the american dollar by gold. The occasion for bryans famous cross of gold speech was the democratic national convention in chicago on july 8, 1896. While bryan, in 1896, referred to the concerns of farmers, wageearners, and small business owners, he also followed the expectations of the day when he included allusions to history the. Jul 06, 2016 the speech is best remembered for its final lines defying the financial fat cats of his day and his own party. Nov 16, 2012 having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests, and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them.
This speech quickly became one of the most famous in american history, and led to bryans nomination for president. Bryans cross of gold speech to relate the historical context. This study guide for william jennings bryans cross of gold speech offers summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests, and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them. Easily access essays and lesson plans from other students and teachers. Pictured to the left, bryan is holding a cross of gold, an image related to his famous speech. The cross of gold speech excerpt, by william jennings bryan. Young william jennings bryan became famous overnight with the speech he delivered at the democratic national convention, winning the nomination for the. William jennings bryans cross of gold speech 18 96 the most famous speech in american political history was delivered by william jennings bryan on july 9, 1896, at the democratic national convention in chicago. No doubt this is the most famous and the most effective speech ever delivered at a national party convention. Cross of gold speech analysis by jessica joseph on prezi. The cross of gold speech was delivered by william jennings bryan, a former united states representative from nebraska, at the democratic national convention in chicago on july 9, 1896. Bryans cross of gold speech excerpts one of the most famous speeches in american political history was delivered by william jennings bryan on july 9, 1896, at the democratic national convention in chicago.
Cross of gold speech definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Mesmerizing the masses the most famous speech in american political history was delivered by william jennings bryan on july 9, 1896, at the democratic national convention in chicago. Fielder, who is currently portraying william jennings bryan in a play in chicago, delivered the speech which he made at the 1896 democratic convention in chicago. This article appeared on wikipedia s main page as todays featured article on july 9, 2012. The most famous speech in american political history was delivered by william jennings bryan on. This excerpt of william jennings bryans cross of gold speech is a great supplemental resource for your populismgilded age unit. Many people believed that money that was backed by gold or some valuable commodity would hold its value better.
William jennings bryans cross of gold speech notes, test prep materials, and homework help. In the address, bryan supported bimetallism or free silver, which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. William jennings bryan delivered his cross of gold speech for the first time in 1896. You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify.
William jennings bryan cross of gold speech july 8, 1896 introduction. The cross of gold speech is william jennings bryans most wellknown political speech. William jennings bryan and the cross of gold speech us 101. Cross of gold speech definition of cross of gold speech at. Cross of gold speech by william jennings bryan video.
Cross of gold speech definition of cross of gold speech. Bryans cross of gold speech constitutional money advocate. The cross of gold 1 the cross of gold william jennings bryan 1 overview in the election of 1896, the issue of the free coinage of silver divided the republicans, who opposed it, and the democrats, who favored it. Definition of cross of gold speech in the dictionary. The cross of gold was a speech given by william jennings bryan at the democratic national convention in 1896 which advocated for bimetallism, or the use of both gold and silver in funding the currency.
Get indepth analysis of every man a king, with this section on william jennings bryans cross of gold speech july 9, 1896. Learn cross of gold speech with free interactive flashcards. Lesson plan the free silver movement and inflation 8. Cross of gold speech, classic of american political oratory that was delivered by william jennings bryan during the platform debate at the 1896 democratic national convention in chicago. The cross of gold speech was delivered by william jennings bryan, a former united states. Bryans speech, which electrified the delegates to the convention, and won him his partys presidential nomination with its biblical metaphor of the plight of farmers in the united states under the gold standard. The end of the speech gives it its name when he says. The cross of gold speech was a famous speech at the 1896 democratic national convention by william jennings bryan. Cross of gold speech at the democratic national convention in chicago in 1897. Even so, if you can update or improve it, please do so.
Assess your understanding of the cross of gold speech with this quiz and worksheet. One of the most famous speeches in american political history was. Well also learn about bimetallism, the system which. It was one of those rare orations that ended with a speaker literally borne away on the shoulders of electrified listeners. You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. It was his goal to create inflation to help those in debt. Jan 08, 2019 this week, well look at bryans cross of gold speech which railed against the u. It still is and it can be used to develop students rhetorical analysis skills.
Young william jennings bryan became famous overnight with the speech he delivered at the democratic national convention. Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them. Bryans plea for the coinage of silver so electrified the convention that it made him the democratic candidate for president. You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. Media in category cross of gold speech the following 3 files are in this category, out of 3 total. Cross of gold speech, july 9, 1896, democratic national convention, chicago.
Farmers and common people, along with bryan, wanted money to be backed by silver and gold, this was called bimetallism. William jennings bryan and the cross of gold speech us. Bryans cross of gold speech constitutional money advocate, volume 1, number 6. He wanted silver and not gold to be americas bullion standard. Listen to cross of gold speech 1896 from william jennings bryans historic voices v if im elected for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. This resource provides an excerpt of his speech, as well as comprehension questions relating to the speech, bimetallism, and the populist party agenda. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. Cross of gold speech until 1921, when, at the age of 61, bryan recorded the speech in a studio. The democrats were debating the monetary plank in their platform. The most famous speech in american political history was delivered by william jennings bryan on july 9, 1896, at the democratic national convention in chicago. This week, well look at bryans cross of gold speech which railed against the u. William jennings bryans cross of gold speech andrew. Choose from 69 different sets of cross of gold speech flashcards on quizlet. What does this quote by william jennings bryan mean.
The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. July 9, 1896, at the democratic national convention, chicago. Has the famous populist cross of gold speech been unfairly. Excerpts from the text of william jennings bryans cross of gold. Mar 07, 2018 william jennings bryans cross of gold speech was a masterpiece in its day. You will need to know why the speech was given in order to answer these questions. I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this was a mere measuring of abilities.
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